Three Pathogens Impact Terrestrial Frogs from a High-Elevation Tropical Hotspot.

Three infectious pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Ranavirus (Rv) and Perkinsea (Pr) are associated with widespread and ongoing amphibian population declines. Although their geographic and host ranges vary widely, recent studies have suggested that the occurrence of these pathogens could be more common than previously thought, even in direct-developing terrestrial species traditionally considered less likely to harbor these largely aquatic pathogens. Here, we characterize Bd, Rv, and Pr infections in direct-developing terrestrial amphibians of the Pristimantis genus from the highland Ecuadorean Andes. We confirm the first detection of Pr in terrestrial-breeding amphibians and in the Andean region, present the first report of Rv in Ecuador, and we add to the handful of studies finding Bd infecting Pristimantis. Infection prevalence did not differ significantly among pathogens, but infection intensity was significantly higher for Bd compared to Pr. Neither prevalence nor intensity differed significantly across locality and elevation for Bd and Rv, although low prevalence in our dataset and lack of seasonal sampling could have prevented important epidemiological patterns from emerging. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating pathogen surveillance in biodiversity monitoring in the Andean region and serves as starting point to understand pathogen dynamics, transmission, and impacts in terrestrial-breeding frogs.

Description and phylogenetic relationships of a new trans-Andean species of Elachistocleis Parker 1927 (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae).

Elachistocleis is a Neotropical genus of microhylid frogs with 18 species, most of which occur east of the Andes in South America. Here, we present a new phylogeny of Gastrophryninae and describe and name a new species of Elachistocleis from southern Ecuador-the first to be found west of the Andes and also the first from Ecuador. Our phylogeny is based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial genes 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, COI, and the nuclear genes BDNF, cmyc2, H3A, 28S, SIA1, and Tyr. Elachistocleis araios sp. n., is the sister species of all other Elachistocleis. The finding of this taxon highlights the probability of the existence of more Elachistocleis species west of the Andes.

A bizarre new species of Lynchius (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) br />from the Andes of Ecuador and first report of Lynchius parkeri in Ecuador.

We describe a new species of Lynchius from the eastern montane forest of southern Ecuador. We also report the occurrence of L. parkeri in Ecuador, on paramos of Yacuri National Park, near the border with Peru. We used morphological and genetic evidence for the description of the new species and the new report of L. parkeri. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on DNA sequences for mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The phylogeny shows that L. simmonsi is sister to a clade composed of the remaining species of Lynchius and that the new species is sister to L. flavomaculatus. The new species has a prominent and heavily ossified head with noticeably spiculate cranial exostosis that easily distinguishes it from all its congeners. The dorsal region and limbs present several reduced subconical and rounded tubercles and pronounced dermal ridges on the dorsum. We also describe the osteology of the new species based on x-rays of the holotype. Only six species of Lynchius, two known to occur in Ecuador (L. flavomaculatus and L. simmonsi). The description of L. megacephalus sp. n. and new record of L. parkeri double the number of known Lynchius in Ecuador and suggest that the diversity of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Lynchius is still underestimated.

Genetic delimitation of Pristimantisorestes (Lynch, 1979) and P.saturninoi Brito et al., 2017 and description of two new terrestrial frogs from the Pristimantisorestes species group (Anura, Strabomantidae).

In the genus Pristimantis, species are often combined into taxonomic units called species groups. The taxonomy of these groups is frequently inaccurate due to the absence of genetic data from type series and repeated misidentifications generated by high morphological resemblance between taxa. Here, we focus on the P.orestes species group, providing the first genetic assessment of P.orestes sensu stricto from individuals collected from the type locality, with a reviewed diagnosis and description of advertisement calls. We find that two lineages previously named P.orestes are genetically distinct and should be separated into two different species. Based on genetic and morphological data, we name one of these species P.cajanuma sp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinct from other members of the group by having shagreen dorsal skin, evident dorsolateral folds, broader discs on toes and fingers and pale gray ventral coloration. Additionally, P.saturninoi is placed within the P.orestes species group based on genetic data from its type series. However, we find that one of its paratypes is genetically distinct and belongs to a clade containing a new species we name P.quintanai sp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinguished by lacking a tympanic membrane and vocal sacs in males, and by having expanded discs on toes and fingers, finely tuberculated dorsal skin and irregular white or cream spots in the groin and concealed surfaces of thighs. Our findings highlight the importance of providing genetic characterization and placement from the type series in taxonomic challenging groups, such as Pristimantis. We also suggest that the diversity of species within the P.orestes group will increase as more sampling is achieved in the southern Andes of Ecuador.

ResumenLas especies pertenecientes al género Pristimantis usualmente están agrupadas en unidades taxonómicas llamadas grupos de especies. A menudo la taxonomía de estos grupos es problemática debido a la ausencia de información genética de las series tipo de las especies o debido a identificaciones erróneas generadas por la elevada similitud morfológica entre especies. Aquí nos enfocamos en el grupo de especies P.orestes y proveemos la primera evaluación genética de P.orestes sensu stricto en base a individuos colectados en la localidad tipo de la especie con una diagnosis revisada y descripción de vocalizaciones. Encontramos que dos linajes previamente nombrados como P.orestes son genéticamente distintos y deberían ser considerados como dos distintas especies. En base a evidencia genética y morfológica nombramos a una de estas especies P.cajanuma sp. nov. La nueva especie es distinta de otras especies del grupo por presentar piel dorsal con textura finamente granular, pliegues dorsolaterales evidentes, discos amplios en dedos de pie y manos y una coloración ventral gris pálido. Adicionalmente, P.saturninoi es colocada dentro del grupo de especies P.orestes en base a información genética de especímenes tipo. Sin embargo, encontramos que uno de los paratipos es genéticamente distinto y está dentro de un clado que incluye a una nueva especie morfológicamente similar que nombramos como P.quintanai sp. nov. Esta nueva especie se distingue de otros Pristimantis del grupo por carecer de una membrana timpánica diferenciada, machos sin sacos vocales y por presentar discos expandidos en los dedos de pies y manos, una piel dorsal con textura finamente tubercular y manchas irregulares blancas o crema-blanquecinas en las ingles y superficies ocultas de los muslos. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de proveer caracterizaciones genéticas de especímenes tipos en grupos taxonómicamente complejos como los Pristimantis. Sugerimos que la diversidad de especies dentro del grupo de especies P.orestes incrementara a medida que más expediciones de campo se realicen en el sur de los Andes de Ecuador.

A new species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from the Cajas Massif, southern Ecuador.

A new species of Pristimantis is described from the highland paramos on the eastern slopes of the Cajas Massif, southern Andes of Ecuador, at 3400 m. This new species is characterized by having a distinctive reddish color, cutaneous macroglands in suprascapular region and surfaces of arm and legs, and by lacking dentigerous processes of vomers. The cutaneous macroglands are similar to those exhibited by several species of the Pristimantis orcesi group, and may suggest a close phylogenetic relationship. The new species could be a latitudinal substitution of Pristimantis orcesi in the southern Andes of Ecuador.

ResúmenDescribimos una nueva especie de Pristimantis desde las laderas orientales del macizo El Cajas en los páramos andinos del sur de Ecuador a 3400 m.s.n.m. Esta nueva especie tiene un color rojizo distintivo y se caracteriza por tener macroglándulas cutáneas en varias regiones del cuerpo, de la siguiente manera: la región supraescapular, las superficies del antebrazo, parte superior del brazo, las manos y el borde de las piernas. Además, carece de procesos dentígeros en los vomerinos. Las macroglándulas cutáneas son similares a las presentes en el grupo de Pristimantis orcesi, y podrían representar una posición filogenética cercana. La nueva especie puede constituir una sustitución latitudinal de Pristimantis orcesi en los Andes sur de Ecuador.